The And The Winner Is..? events series kicked off with a discussion and investigation into architectural competitions.

A key method for a client to source diverse architectural ideas and solutions (and for architects to develop their craft), or a burden for overworked and underpaid practices, offering no clear promise of reward? Are competitions a waste of money? Do open competitions invite clients to steal ideas? Can competitions be run to the benefit of every stakeholder, in the name of ensuring architectural quality and encouraging clients to take positive risks, or is the process fundamentally unethical, and an agent of the glossy domination of architectural style over substance?

An international panel of key-players from the culture of architectural competitions presented their positions towards, and experiences gained from, architectural competitions – investigating these issues from the perspectives of entrant, organiser and client.